Written in the Stars....5 Stars that is! I've known about this place for over 30 years. I've intended to eat here for over 30 years. The place has an interesting story including a family falling out which resulted in a short term closure. I first read about it in the Dallas Observer claiming it had the best Chilli Relleno in Dallas. Over the years I've read and heard about its accolades in travel magazines, celebrity chef comments etc. Finally,today the Stars literally aligned into a group of 5 and I found myself in a comfortable seat inside Avias on a rainy Dallas day perfect for Mexican food. I'll spare you all the boring details and get down to Business....Go! We ordered a couple of beers to wash it down. A very cold and tasty Modelo Negra and Corona extra. Arriving just as our chips and spicy delicious salsa arrived. The food coming out of the kitchen all looked great...good sign. I was tempted by literally everything on the menu but we had to try the famous Relleno. Went with the beef with a creamy pablano sauce. Sublime. Also sample the beef Gordiras which came with just enough guac,sour cream and pico to perfect them. Very nice. Dallas has more Tex Mex spots than you can visit ( and enjoy) in a lifetime. I'm glad I finally got around to this jewel of a place. Once again....Go! read more

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This is a Dallas Tex-Mex staple! It's been around forever, and for good reason. Spicy salsa, chicken enchiladas that are hard to beat, just all around good food at a good price. Sometime it can get busy during the lunch rush, but it's worth the wait. One of the best around. Looks like an old house from the outside, it's definitely not corporate! This visit I had the Carne Asada, and my partner had the Ribeye Fajitas. Both delicious, I'd say the fajitas were better. read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Rib-eye Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Love this hole in the wall! Great spicy salsa. The chicken fajitas are so flavorful! Highly recommend the food. Parking is a bit difficult however but solid hole in the wall spot read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - 8. Grilled marinated chicken fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Excellent hole in the wall Mexican food. There was great service, the salsa was delicious. It was appreciated that they brought in free chips. The service was fast. I had the combination dish so I could try a little bit of everything. Excellent food with reasonable pricing. read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Interior - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Great place! Authentic Tex Mex and Mexican spot. It's so rare to find a family spot that makes spicy salsa great food and strong drinks. Everything was under $20 and the service was fast and great. 10/10 new fav Mexican place if you make the drive read more

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We were recently in the Dallas medical district for doctor appts and decided on this little restaurant. When we drove up I thought surely not! It looked so tiny and was kinda hard to find. Their little parking lot was full but there was another open parking lot of a business that was closed for the evening so we just parked there. Yes, it was pretty small when we got inside. We were greeted at the door and taken to our table where the hot sauce and chips were promptly put in front of us. Let me just tell you .... Idk if you don't like a whole lot of cilantro in your food, but I am usually the one eating around it and I did not have to do that at all. The salsa was spicy, but not too spicy and had great flavor. I got the brisket tacos. I was a little disappointed. The meat had a wonderful flavor and it was almost like a stew like consistence not your standard smoked brisket which was good, but it literally had no cheese or even lettuce or guac or sour cream. It was just meat. I got my pico on the side because again sometimes there can be too much cilantro, The beans and rice were also very good. My spouse got the steak fajita enchiladas with an extra crispy taco. I have never had the enchiladas have the sauted bell pepper and onion inside the enchilada with a cheese sauce on top, but let me tell you I will definitely be going back for it. Cost of meals were average around 12-16$ and drinks were 10$ each. You should definitely give it a try. read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Beef fajita enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Spur the moment lunch. Very friendly service, as well as attentive. Hubby had chicken fajitas, not exactly what you would expect. But good. I had sour cream enchilada, it was OK, the sour cream sauce was a bit grainy. read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Sour cream, chicken enchilada - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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I ordered the layer dip and triple D combo. The layer dip was much more watery than I was expecting and just queso with little dollops of everything else so not exactly what I was expecting. The tamale was good but had very little meat, the pozole was new to me, a little spicy and just not my thing, and the Gordita was good. Our server was very sweet and the food came out just fine but one of our orders was wrong the first time. Inside has a very cozy homey feel. read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Triple D Combo - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

There's parking to the right when you pull in. There are also a few seats out front with the tent covering if you prefer to be outdoors. It's a good size restaurant with a good amount of seating to the right side when you first walk in. It didn't take long to get our seats or long to get the food. It got a few more customers after we were seated. The food was delicious. We tried the Chimichanga with ground beef, brisket quesadilla, and the elite shrimp appetizer, which was delicious. The guacamole was also delicious. And the sangria swirl margarita was good. I would go back read more

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Went here for dinner and love this hole in the wall Mexican spot. The servers were really nice, constantly kept the tortilla chips and salsa flowing, refilled water, and checked up on us. The salsa has a unique flavor profile, with a kick of spice to it but nothing one can't handle. Recommend the Avila special, which comes with two chicken enchiladas and one cheese enchilada. read more

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I will never set foot into this restaurant again. It's not because of the food-it's really good. It's because of the people running it. I've been there three times in the past two months and the service is spotty at best. No one is really friendly or even seems to care that we came to eat or not. But last night was the last straw. My friend and I arrived around 5 pm and were seated in the dining room on the right. The front dining area had a table of two men, one of whom greeted us which was confusing because they looked like regular dinner guests. The waitress was nice and took our drink order. (Their frozen margaritas are very good!). There was an older gentleman (owner or manager?)at a table toward the back doing some work. We had seen him there before and he's not friendly or welcoming at all. We were there for about 10 minutes when the the manager went to the front room and started talking with the guys eating. I don't know what kind of argument was started but the manger was yelling at one of the guys who he apparently knew. The guy even said "there are customers here" but that didn't stop the manager from yelling and using homophobic slurs against the guy in the dining room. Things heated up and they were physically fighting and two restaurant employees had to hold the manger back-he was unhinged at that point telling the guy he was a drunk and that every time he came in he ordered alcohol (don't most people drink a margarita or beer) and that he had camera footage of him drinking. Okay? Then the guy got enraged and threatened to stab the manager guy. I wanted to walk out at that point because I didn't feel comfortable but didn't feel safe getting up and in the middle of all that nonsense. The two employees holding the manager back got him to the back room and the guy he was fighting left but came back in after a couple of minutes. I really thought he had gone to get a knife since he had threatened to stab the manager guy but he finally left. After that, things got quiet. Our food came to the table. We ate fast and left. NO ONE offered an apology or said anything to us about the elephant in the room. A manager having a verbal and physical altercation with another customer, in front of other customers, is beyond acceptable. It's not normal behavior. Someone needs anger management training or doesn't need to be a manager. Therefore, I will no longer patronize Avila's since they employ a homophobic, unhinged manager. I'll go across the street to Ojeda's because they are so nice and welcoming to their patrons. (and their margaritas are even better!) read more

Another great meal In the area wanted some great food, so stopped in. Did not disappoint as usual read more

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Arguably the best Mexican food I have had (at least in the States). All 5 of us cleaned our plates. Both the chicken and steak fajitas were outstanding. And don't sleep on the salsa, spicy perfection. It's not fancy, it's just really, really good! read more

The food and the service were both excellent. I left extremely full and satisfied for my ride back home. It was a quiet afternoon and available parking on the side. read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Papitos Special - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

First time coming here... will definitely not be the last! Food tasted amazing and the service was fast!

Fav TexMex food in Dallas proper. The salsa will light you up but I could drink it. Haven't had a plate I didn't like. Old house turned restaurant. Featured on Diners and Drive-Ins. Staff is always great. Food comes out quickly. Don't sleep on this one. read more

Truly a hole in the wall. The door to get in made me feel as though I was going to walk into a home. The smell was incredible. Service was fast. The tortilla soup is definitely nothing to write about but the fajitas were great. read more

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Stopped in for a late lunch and didn't disappoint. Brisket two ways--taco and enchilada. The brisket with queso was amazing. Shared a flan which has the best Carmel Sauce. read more

Ordered Avila's because I was in a serious mood for a chimichanga. Hadn't had one in a while. Found them on Yelp and decided to try. I ordered the chimichanga with fajita beef and my husband had 2 ground beef and 1 brisket enchilada. I ordered the enchiladas with ranchero sauce. They were sent with queso. The chimichanga was zero stars. I hate to say it, but it was the worst one I've ever had. It wasn't fried and it wasn't fully cooked through. The little fajita beef there tasted old, there were ridiculously thick chunks of cheese, and the tortilla was weirdly doughy and undercooked. It was really bad. I didn't even eat 1/4 of the chimichanga so my husband was kind enough to share his enchiladas. They were surprisingly good. The rice, beans, and salsa were also very good. This got the 3 stars. Such a huge difference from the chimichanga. On the fence on if I'll try them again. That chimichanga left a bad taste, literally and figuratively. read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Not a fan of this chimichanga. - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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This is truly a don't judge a book by it's cover moment. This has been on my list to try for a while and I must have passed it a thousand times and never even noticed it. One night, my husband and I sought out a new place, looked at my list, and decided on Avila's. When we pulled up, I have to admit, the parking lot almost scared us off. It's dark and not in the greatest area. But we decided to go in and am I glad we did! The food was amazing! The salsa was great! The service was phenomenal! I tried the Taquitos Don Tavo. They were lightly fried, perfectly crispy, and STUFFED with meat. So good! My husband got the Guisado de Puerco, which has become his go to when restaurants have it, and he claims that this is his new favorite restaurant for Guisado. We will definitely be coming back again and again. read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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The BEST fajitas in Dallas. This is a hidden gem. I bring first timers and they always rave about it. The seasoning and veggies are perfect. The salsa has the right amount of heat. read more

We always have an amazing time here! The food is fantastic, the service is top-notch, and the company is just lovely. We've been coming for years and have no plans of stopping! A huge thank you to Avila's for everything you do! read more

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Real deal Tex Mex, Enchiladas are a must get and staff is incredibly efficient. Always crowded with limited seating but they move people in and out. Salsa is spicy, you can't stop eating it though. read more

This is real Mexican food like Abuela makes! I rarely have anything good to say about Mexican food outside of my house. This is the real real deal. The mole is always good and the enchiladas as well. Service is friendly and fast. Great place overall! read more

We used Avila's catering for our department holiday party and I could not be happier with the food, service, and overall experience. The food was amazing--everything was delicious! The beef fajitas had a great seasoning, the guacamole, salsa, and pico de gallo were all fresh, and the tortillas were a big hit! Katy is great to work with! I would definitely consider Avila's for your next catered event! Thank you Avila's!! read more

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Been coming here for 20 years. Always consistent. Their chile relleno is superb -no batter on it. Well worth a try and better than the batter or breaded versions elsewhere. read more

Love the Food Great selection. One of Dallas gems. remind me of the food that I grew up with back home.

Food (4.5/5): One of my favorite Mexican foods in the world is Pozole. Their pozole was good, but I feel like I haven't tried the perfect one yet. All around, all the ones I have tried just taste the same. It's a great soup that met my expectations, but did not exceed what I expected. Service(5/5): Anna was our server, she was very sweet. There is a small language barrier, but overall actions do speak louder than words which she had proven me that. Always upkept with drink refills and chips + salsa. Ambiance (3.9/5): We went during lunch hour, it's very casual. Quick and easy lunch to eat and go. It just normal, small, close together tables, normal Dallas restaurant, nothing crazy, just average. read more

Very solid family run business. I cannot wait to go back to try the fajitas, which smelled delicious!

I was visiting the area for the weekend and checked for restaurants visited by Guy Fieri. I found this and visited on 05/04 for dinner. The food was delicious, I had the carne asada with rice and beans. The service was prompt and friendly. The ambience was great. This is a small neighborhood Mexican restaurant . I shall definitely visit again if I am in the area. read more

Customer service is great here. I had high hopes due to Guy Fieri's endorsement and a recommendation from someone I know. The space is definitely a "mom and pop" restaurant which I liked. I ordered the triple D which came with a brisket gordita, pork tamale, pozole, rice, and beans. The rice and the tamale were really good, tasted very similar to what my family makes. The beans had zero seasoning, same with the brisket inside the gordita. The hominy inside the pozole was not cooked all the way and was hard- it also needed seasoning (even after adding the onions, cilantro, etc.). The salsa and chips were great - the salsa was slightly spicy but in the best way. Overall, average for the type of place it is. read more

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Great food.... great service... excellent service...Ceasars is great server. Come here if you want to have a good time and definitely ask to sit outside read more

This was very authentic Mexican restaurant. Only a few minutes from Hilton hotel. Homemade chips and salsas were complimentary. Very good salsa! read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - Rice & beans - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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This is my favorite place for Mexican food. The service is excellent. Try the gorditas, taquitos don tavo, or pozole. Have you ever tried flour nachos? Do it! read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - The best fried tacos... Taquitos Don Tavo. The gorditas are awesome too. - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

This is some of the best no-frills traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex food you can find in the DFW metroplex. The establishment has been featured on TV (including Triple D) and several publications. The humble establishment is cozily located in an old house, and it can fill up very quickly. We have been here a number of times, and are always impressed by the service and quality of the food. The staff is very welcoming and treats you like a valued guest. And as for the food . . . The house made chips are paired nicely with a moderately spicy salsa. Both are delicious and difficult not to inhale. Save room for the meal, I have to remind myself. The dish I have only had here, and likely will continue that way, is the Create Your Own Enchilada Platter. You can order your enchiladas with just one sauce, but why do that when you can make your order into an enchilada sampler? I have tried their enchiladas with red sauce, with green sauce, with their poblano cheese sauce, and with the mole. EVERY SINGLE SAUCE IS DELICIOUS!!! Every one! The beans and rice taste homemade and just as good as Mama J's (I love you, Mom!) - and to top things off, I recommend ordering chiles toreados. These are jalapeños that have been lightly pan-fried. They come out hot, tasty, and with just the right amount of kick. Get here early when you come and prepare to be wowed. Muchas gracias, Avila's! read more

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Food was amazing! I've been looking for a restaurant just like this in Dallas! There wasn't a lot of seating, but the service was fast and the food was to die for!!! read more

Avila's Mexican Restaurant - I got Two cheese enchiladas, one with queso the other with chili - Mexican Near Me - Dallas, Texas

This place might have the best cheese enchiladas in my life and I've eaten decades worth of enchiladas.

**Vegetarian Friendly** Looking for a whole in the wall AND family owned Mexican restaurant...you're in the right place! They provide complimentary chips and salsa. The house salsa is delicious, and their food was even better. They have rotating specials too. I ordered the bean-cheese chimichanga smoother in queso, and every single bit was delicious. Double thumbs up that their queso does not congeal even after 20+ minutes! Another double thumbs up because theirs beans AND rice are vegetarian friendly. read more

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Food is basic Tex-Mex but it's good. Not excited about where it's located kind of grungy area off Maple. Atmosphere is down and dirty but enjoyable. The cheese enchiladas need some work. The nachos are kind of basic but also good read more

I do like the food and servers, etc at this restaurant. However, they use a very strong smelling fragrant cleaner that permeates the whole restaurant. It is one that is used in many restaurants recently. So strong and offensive that we have stopped going to Avilas. Wish they would switch to a cleaner that is safer to breathe and unscented. read more